Wrong teaching

For the Christian Community, Sunday, November 24 was the feast of Christ the King as well as the closing of the Year of Faith. Coincidentally, it was also the rejoicing of the Filipino people for the victory of Manny Pacquiao over Brandon Rios. Good reason for celebrating but providing to respect the ideology corresponding to religion and sport. Adoration and admiration are two different words and meanings.

It was therefore strange and shocking to me yesterday when I heard the priest celebrating Mass starting his homily by praising Pacquiao for what he achieved in Macau going to the point of congratulating him publicly in the House of the Lord before pursuing his sermon related to Jesus 'Christ the King'.

How come a priest is able to mix spiritual with materialism? Was the priest unable to remember and profess what it is said in the Scriptures such as:

"Then give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." (Luke 20:25)

 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."(Matthew 6:24)

It is certainly advisable, even recommended, for the Diocese of Cebu as well as the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines to strongly remind our priests what is their true vocation and mission.

Jean Michaut

Cebu City